Business services, nec, nec, Services, nec, nec, Property operation, retail establishment
West Mead 2 Volunteer Fire Department
I'm very proud to serve as the chief of one of the leading departments in Crawford County. I'd like to personally thank each and every one of the dedicated people who have made this department what it is today. For the new people...you have big shoes to fill to maintain the level of equipment, operations, and tradition that this department stands on. I'm confident that West Mead 2 will continue to grow and prosper as a leader in the fire community. While growing up in a family of Fire Chiefs the fire department wasn't just a hobby...it was a way of life. My grandfather Jinx Simmons served as Chief of West Mead 2 for 23 years. My father Tom Simmons served as Chief here for 15 years. Together those men have led this department through the growth from a small department to the large powerhouse that we are today. So needless to say I have some big shoes to fill in my own right. I finally got to join West Mead 2 in August of 1993 at the age of 14. I spent my first 4 years as a junior member, then graduated into the ranks with much of my fundamental training out of the way. Within two years of being a senior member I was promoted to 2nd Asst Chief which I only served for 6 months before moving up to 1st Asst Chief. I spent one year as 1st Asst for Chief Tim Foriska and one year under Chief Tom Simmons. Then I spent two years as Asst Chief under Chief Tom Simmons before he decided it was time to retire. I accepted the Chief's nomination for 2004 and began my tour in the hot seat. In my 3 1/2 years I've learned that you're only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I've been fortunate to have some of the best guys around in this department. I would like to thank Tim Foriska and Tom Simmons for their guidance and shared knowledge while I was growing as an officer. I'd also like to thank Jim Sumerfield and Dave Walton for their dedication and assistance running this fire department while I've been Chief. Intro to Fire Officership, Incident Command, Abbottville Incident Command, ICS/EOC Interface, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Arson Investigation, Education Methodology, State Fire Academy Instructor I, Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Non-Suppression Instructor, NIMS ICS ISTS, Jr Fireman, Basic A, Essentials of Firefighting, Engine Co. Ops, Engine & Truck Co Ops ( FDNY ), 1st Due Engine & Truck ( FDIC ), Structure Burn Session, Firefighter Survival, High Rise Firefighting, Wild Land Firefighting Pa-130, Rapid Intervention Teams, RIT Crew Exercises, Advanced Forcible Entry ( FDNY ), Pump Ops., Pump Ops ( FDIC ) DOH Basic Vehicle Rescue, Basic Vehicle Rescue Update, Holmatro Rescue Tools Training, S. C. R. T. T. Training, Bus Rescue, Farm Rescue, Farmedic, Confined Space Rescue, Basic Rappel/Rescue, Basic Rescue Rappelling, Intermediate Stretcher Rescue, Emergency Medical Technician, Basic Trauma Life Support First Responder ( R&I ), First Responder Operations, HazMat Technician, Radiological Monitoring, Motor Carrier Rollover Training, Terrorism Awareness, Bomb Awareness, Weapons of Mass Destruction APCO, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Comm. Center Supervisor, Center Training Officer, CML Phones, Interact Record Management, Interact CAD Training, Crisis Communications, In Progress, Terrorism Awareness ( TAPD ), Homeland Security, Mission Critical Dispatcher Stat MedEvac Ground Safety, Star Flight Ground Safety, Emergency Veh Driver Training